Members of South Hill WI recently enjoyed an engaging and informative talk by Merryn Threadgold, who introduced her Cornwall Memory Game, a creative project celebrating Cornish places, landmarks and stories.

Merryn explained how the idea for the game was developed during the Covid lockdown, when she was looking for a positive and creative way to stay connected to Cornwall while also supporting wellbeing. The game features beautifully illustrated images inspired by Cornish places, well-known landmarks and stories, printed on tough card to ensure durability and ease of use.

She also described how she went about researching the stories behind each illustration. Members were interested to hear every card is supported by a story included on a leaflet enclosed with the game, giving background information on each place or event featured.

The game encourages players not only to reminisce but also to discover new stories and places in Cornwall they may not have known about before. Examples shared included Polperro’s connection to the development of fingerprint technology, and the remarkable story of fishwife Mary Kelynack, who, at the age of 81, walked to London to the Great Exhibition and met Queen Victoria.

Merryn said: “I wanted to create something that celebrates Cornwall while also helping people connect through familiar places and shared memories.”

The talk highlighted how the game can be adjusted and enjoyed by people of all ages and abilities, with particular benefits for those living with memory loss or dementia by prompting recall and conversation.

The evening was warmly received, with members praising Merryn’s enthusiasm and the thoughtful way the game promotes Cornish identity while supporting wellbeing.

The first meeting of 2026 was held with a somewhat reduced attendance because several members had earlier attended the funeral at St Breward of late member Roger Wynn.

In the absence of the chairman due to illness, treasurer, Des Kent, led the proceedings by welcoming members and the dealer for the afternoon Rex Eccott and his wife Helen.

The planned display for the afternoon was ‘Members recent acquisitions’ and Des invited members to show what they had brought to display. First up was Brian with a selection of books on Greenland issued by the post office. Both informative and colourful they portrayed a comprehensive picture of the country that would no doubt be of interest to Mr Trump.

Next came Viv with three items – first a tatty cover from Guatemala with a not often seen postmark and early use of a block of 25 stamps from the 1902 Waterlow issue. Then a card sent from a soldier who had received a gift of tobacco from schoolchildren during World War II under a scheme organised by the Over-Seas League Tobacco Fund.

Finally, a piece of Launceston ephemera – a wedding invitation sent by Mr Arthur Trewin to a Miss Barron inviting her to the marriage of his daughter Marjorie to Mr Fred Philp on June 28, 1928.

Next came Evelyn who showed a delightful envelope used by the Australian Philatelic Bureau to send their bulletins to subscribers by airmail. The envelope featured a close-up of cattle in a scene from the Melbourne Show.

John who specialises in Great Britain covers showed a selection of £2 coin covers commemorating events from World War I. Des followed with a selection of stamps from Cape Verde Islands and a currency note. Also some recent additions in his pursuit of items from Stratton, Stratton on the Fosse and Stratton Strawless.

Another forte is South West Africa and examples of a cover from Walvis Bay and revenue stamps were shown. His contribution concluded with a selection of modern stamps from Namibia. To round up the proceedings Terry showed some items regarding the entertainment tax that used to be levied on forms of entertainment and readers may well remember seeing some of the stamps that were used when perhaps attending the cinema all those years ago. Terry also showed some Foreign Bills of Exchange or drafts some of which were quite elaborate in design.

Launceston Stamp Club meets on the first Thursday of each month at the Yeolmbridge Methodist Chapel Hall, Ladycross at 7.30pm (May to October) and 2.30pm (November to April). Visitors and prospective members always welcome. Next meeting February 5 - Bob Wheeler entertains with Kevin Webb trading.

The retiring collection for 'Action for Children' at the Christmas Eve service of 'Carols by Candlelight' raised £375.22.

Thanks to all who took part in the service, especially Rev Meg Slingo for leading the service, all who read lessons, Dionne Bere for playing the organ, Sandra Shepherd and Christine Tratt for sharing keyboard duties, Bradley Glessing for playing the drums, Avril Glessing for singing solo and to the Chapel Worship Group for singing 'O Holy Night'.

The Community Breakfast for January was served in the chapel on January 17. Nearly 60 people came and enjoyed a delicious, cooked breakfast.

The group welcomed friends from Bodmin Street Methodist Church in Holsworthy to the annual Covenant service which was held at the chapel on January 18. Sandra Shepherd welcomed everyone and highlighted notices. Rev Meg Slingo led the service.

The singing was led by Dionne Bere on keyboard, Mark Shepherd on guitar and with Avril Glessing and John Cleave as vocalists. The prayers were led by Mark Shepherd, and the tech system was operated by Tim and Ros Watson.

The lessons were read by Sue Banks and Christine Poole. The Holy Communion was administered by Rev Meg and Mark Shepherd, with Mary Care acting as Communion Steward.

‘Happy Birthday Dear Muriel’ was sung and birthday cake shared alongside coffees and teas after the service.

Later in the day, the Muddy Church Team presented a Family Film Evening in the chapel when a PG Film was viewed with light refreshments enjoyed.

On January 22, the Stay and Play Toddler Group met in the chapel in the morning, and the Craftanoon Craft Group met in the Chapel in the afternoon. Both groups continue to meet in the Chapel on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month and all are welcome.

The latest Callington and St Ive Wesley Guild meeting was held on Monday, January 19 when the guest speaker was Roly Nancekivell, who spoke on the work of FCN (The Farming Community Network).

He gave us an insight into the work that the organisation does with farming families around the country who find themselves struggling to see the way forward. He also told us how he became involved after receiving help from them at a difficult time in his own farming life.

The next meeting for the Guild, will be on Monday, February 2. This will be on the work of ‘Battling On’ at Merryhue and will be held at Callington Methodist Church, starting at 7.30pm. All are welcome.

Meanwhile, the United morning service will be held at St Ive Parish Church on Sunday, February 1, starting at 11.15am.

At the end of November, members made nativity lanterns to mark the start of the advent season. Cards were exchanged and invitations issued for the Community Carol Service to be held in December.

Our December meeting took the form of a Christmas Afternoon with mince pies, Christmas cake and a gingerbread house. It was also the judging of the crocus growing competition. Lots of pots of bulbs were entered and the winner was judged to be Linda – see picture of the presentation of the cup by our minister Rev Oseias Da Silva.

The busy afternoon also included lighting of the candles on the advent ring accompanied by carol singing and a quiz with Pam and Christine joint winners.

With illness preventing many from taking part, the service at the Methodist Chapel at Shop on Sunday, January 18, had to be rethought, but thankfully still went ahead.

The welcome and opening prayers were by Jill Johns, and the prayers of intercession were led by Jennifer Vanstone.

The following hymns were sung with Colin Tape playing the organ: I Sing The Almighty Power of God; Will Your Anchor Hold; One More Step; All Things Bright and Beautiful and Give Me Joy In My Heart.

Freda Olde read another two of the late Elizabeth Oke of Gooseham's poems. These were entitled: 'On life's journey' and 'The Heralds of Spring'.

The lessons were read by Ken Boundy and Debbie French. Johns Cleave spoke about Christian Days pertaining to 18th January 2026, the Persecuted Church and 'Peace'.

The service was followed by coffee and a chance to chat in The Wesley Room.

The monthly lunch for January at the chapel for the Luncheon Club was served on Wednesday, January 21. Beef Casserole with a vegetarian option was thoroughly enjoyed by all followed by the usual delicious desserts, teas and coffees.

A percentage of the takings from this month’s Lunch will be sent to Devon Air Ambulance and Morwenstow Football Club.